There's lots of stagey news to catch up on this week.
From the return of London Theatre Week and musical casts returning for West End premieres, to opening shows and closing productions.
London Theatre Week
London Theatre Week
This week saw the return of London Theatre Week, and it's bigger and better than ever before. With over 70 shows taking part, you can get tickets a wide variety of productions for as little as £15.
Running until the 5 March, browse the full list of shows taking part this year and book your tickets before this limited offer closes!
Book London Theatre Week tickets
Cast announcements in the West End
From brand-new casts for long-running productions to exciting announcements for upcoming musicals, there's some fantastic talent coming to the West End!
Operation Mincemeat
Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre
This news is far from top secret! The initial casting for Operation Mincemeat has been announced, and the cast from the Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios production are returning for the West End premiere! The cast are:
- David Cumming
- Claire-Marie Hall
- Natasha Hodgson
- Jak Malone
- Zöe Roberts
Telling the true story of the UK governmental plan during World War 2 to beat the Nazis using a dead body and fake documents, tickets are on sale now for this brand-new musical.
Book Operation Mincemeat tickets
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
The yellow brick road is coming to the London Palladium, and two of Dorothy's pals have been announced. Comedian Jason Manford will be returning to the stage to play The Cowardly Lion, and Diversity star Ashley Banjo is making his West End musical debut as The Tin Man.
Witness For The Prosecution
The new cast of Witness For The Prosecution
The new cast of Witness for the Prosecution have been summoned to London County Hall. Joining the Agatha Christie production are:
- Harry Giubileo as Leonard Vole in his West End debut
- Madeleine Walker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Romaine
- Jo Stone-Fewings (The Crown) as Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC
- Crispin Redman (Law And Order) as Mr Mayhew
- Terence Wilton (The Woman in Black) as Mr Justice Wainwright
- Nick Sampson (Anthony and Cleopatra) as Mr Myers QC
Completing the cast are: Bradley Adams, Nick Morrison Baker, Theo Holt-Bailey, Dafydd Gwyn Howells, Ben Jacobson, Caitlin Kaur, Don Klass, Godiva Marshall, Phoebe Newlan, Jo Servi, David Shelley and Tracey Wilkinson.
Book Witness For The Prosecution tickets
Show Extensions in the West End
Check out these exciting show extensions which got announced this week!
Six The Musical
Six the Musical at Vaudeville Theatre
Extending to April 2024
Hamilton
Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Extending to March 2024
Closing shows in the West End
This weekend we lose two incredible West End shows. Book your tickets before they disappear from Theatreland!
Carmen
Carmen at the London Coliseum
Closing tonight at the London Coliseum, Carmen tells the tale of a woman ablaze with passion, surrounded by men with an infatuation with obsession and jealously. One of opera's most legendary characters, its score includes popular opera songs including March of the Toreadors and Habanera.
Orlando
Orlando at the Garrick Theatre
Playing its final performance on the 25 February, this reimagining of the Virginia Woolf masterpiece stars Emma Corrin (The Crown) as Orlando. This bold production is directed by Michael Grandage, and follows Orlando as she travels through five centuries and tries to answer the question, 'how does anyone find the courage to truly be ourselves?'
New shows in the West End
There's lots of new shows heading to the West End. Here's what is coming to London very soon!
Dear England
Dear England at the National Theatre
James Graham (Quiz) has written a new play about England football manager Gareth Southgate. Titled Dear England, the show follows Gareth Southgate as he's tasked with transforming the England football team. Running at the National Theatre, Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) will be playing the title role of Gareth Southgate, with further casting to be announced. Dear England will run between 10 June - 11 August, and tickets go on sale on 9 March.
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at the Southwark Playhouse
This Tony and Pulitzer-winning musical is heading to the Southwark Playhouse between 12 May - 17 June. Michelle Visage (RuPaul's Drag Race) will be the voice of "The Book", who guides the character of Pierrepont through his business conundrums. Casting is to be announced. Directed by Georgie Rankcom (Anyone Can Whistle), tickets are on sale now.
The Crucible
The Crucible at the Gielgud Theatre
After receiving rave reviews at The National, The Crucible is heading to the Gielgud Theatre for a second West End run. This iconic Arthur Miller work follows the Salem Witch Trials, as a group of townsfolk are thrown into paranoia and chaos. Other casting is still to be confirmed, the creatives include direction by Lyndsey Turner, design by Es Devlin, costume design by Catherine Fay and lighting design by Tim Lutkin. The Crucible will run at the Gielgud from 7 June - 2 September.
What are you seeing in the West End this week? Tag us on social media in your theatre trips and share your memories with us!
It's been another packed week of news in the West End this week. From exciting new shows coming to London to extensions of much-loved productions, there's lots to catch up on.